N. Christopher Griffiths Explained

Christopher Griffiths
Office:Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court
Appointer:John Carney
Term Start:May 22, 2023
Predecessor:Tamika Montgomery-Reeves
Party:Democrat
Education:University of Delaware (BS)
Villanova University (JD)

N. Christopher Griffiths is an American lawyer from Delaware who is serves as a justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Education

Griffiths is a graduate of Salesianum School. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware in 2002. He received a Juris Doctor from the Villanova University School of Law in 2008.[1] [2]

Career

Prior to practicing law, Griffiths served as a wealth manager for the Wilmington Trust Company and the Vanguard Group. He was a partner with Connolly Gallagher LLP focusing on administrative and government law; corporate and commercial litigation; bankruptcy law; and general litigation.[3]

Delaware Supreme Court

On April 13, 2023, Governor John Carney nominated Griffiths to serve as a justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, to the seat vacated by Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

His nomination came under scrutiny after it was reported that Griffiths pled guilty to reckless driving, alcohol-related in January 2023.[4] [5]

On May 3, 2023, the Delaware Senate confirmed him by a 15–4–2 vote. Republicans opposed him because his nomination left the Supreme Court without a Justice sitting in Kent County.[6] [7] He assumed office on May 22, 2023.[8] Griffiths became the first Black man to serve on the supreme court.[9]

Awards and recognition

Griffiths has received the Delaware State Bar Association Young Lawyer of Distinguished Service Award, and the Supreme Court has appointed him as a Trustee of its Client Protection Fund. Chris also serves the board of the Delaware Law Related Education Center focusing on trial advocacy.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Governor Carney Announces Supreme Court Nominations . April 13, 2023 . Office of the Governor . April 26, 2023.
  2. Web site: N. Christopher Null Griffiths Profile Wilmington, DE Lawyer Martindale.com . April 26, 2023 . www.martindale.com.
  3. Web site: N. Christopher Griffiths .
  4. Web site: April 18, 2023 . Del. Supreme Court nominee pleads guilty to reckless driving alcohol related . April 26, 2023 . 47abc . en-US.
  5. Web site: Petree . Rob . April 18, 2023 . Delaware Senator concerned over Supreme Court nominee's conviction . April 26, 2023 . 47abc . en-US.
  6. News: Senate confirms Supreme Court picks despite opposition. delawarebusinesstimes.com. May 7, 2023.
  7. News: Kiefer. Paul. May 3, 2023. State Senate confirms Carney's two Delaware Supreme Court nominees. delawarerepublic.org. May 7, 2023.
  8. Web site: Judicial Officers Supreme Court Delaware Courts State of Delaware . May 22, 2023 . courts.delaware.gov.
  9. Web site: May 3, 2023 . Delaware Senate confirms two Supreme Court nominees . May 7, 2023 . AP NEWS . en.
  10. Web site: Owens . Jacob . April 14, 2023 . Judge LeGrow, Connolly Gallagher's Griffiths tapped for high court . April 26, 2023 . Delaware Business Times . en-US.